The Centre’s objection not withstanding, the DMK may go ahead with its plan to submit the resolutions passed by it at the last Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (Teso) meet to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. Among other things, Teso calls on the international body to conduct an enquiry into the alleged war crimes carried out by the Sri Lankan Army during the war with the LTTE. According to sources, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, during his recent visit to India, had prevailed on Indian leaders to rein in those Tamil parties that seek to internationalise the Tamil problem. Accordingly, minister of state in the PMO Narayanasamy called on DMK chief Karunanidhi a week back to impress on him the need to act over the issue keeping in mind India’s relations with its southern neighbour, sources added. Mr Narayansamy also discussed the question of the DMK availing the two cabinet berths lying vacant since the resignations of A. Raja and Dayanidhi Maran over the 2G scam.
Sources mentioned that while the octogenarian refused to avail any ministerial positions at this point, he didn’t commit himself on the question of going slow against Sri Lanka.
DMK sources say that any indication that the party is dilly-dallying over the matter would amount to playing into the hands of the outfits’ opponents who accuse the DMK supremo of treating the issue with kid gloves.
It is with this in mind that the DMK has convened the second Teso conference on Monday, sources said.
As per the plan, DMK’s heir-apparent and former chief minister M.K. Stalin would personally leave for the UN to submit the resolutions along with senior party leader T.R. Baalu. The duo, on their way back, also would visit Geneva to hand over a copy of the same resolutions to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). One of the key resolutions is that of conducting a political referendum in the Tamil dominated areas of north and east of the Island nation.